NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
444 reports69,967 miles · Aug 2, 2016
Unknown Or Other
A FEW DAYS AGO WHILE DETAILING THE INTERIOR OF MY TRUCK, L NOTICED SEVERAL CRACKS IN THE DASH WHERE THE TAKATA AIRBAGS DEPLOY. I ONLY HAVE 69,000 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE. IT HAS BEEN GARAGE KEPT. I TOOK IT TO OUR LOCAL DELERSHIP & THE ADVISED IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY & NOTHING COULD BE DONE. I WOULD LIKE TO ADD, L JUST RECEIVED MY…
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A FEW DAYS AGO WHILE DETAILING THE INTERIOR OF MY TRUCK, L NOTICED SEVERAL CRACKS IN THE DASH WHERE THE TAKATA AIRBAGS DEPLOY. I ONLY HAVE 69,000 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE. IT HAS BEEN GARAGE KEPT. I TOOK IT TO OUR LOCAL DELERSHIP & THE ADVISED IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY & NOTHING COULD BE DONE. I WOULD LIKE TO ADD, L JUST RECEIVED MY RECALL NOTICE OF THE DETERIORATING AIRBAG RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE. I'M FEARFUL TO DRIVE THIS TRUCK FOR FEAR OF DASH PIECES & EARLY AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED YESTERDAY & L WAS ADVISED BY PAUL, A SERVICE WRITER, THE PARTS TO REPAIR THIS RECALL ARE NOT AVAILABLE. I ASKED ABOUT WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF THE TAKATA INFLATORS AIRBAGS DEPLOYED & L OR PASSENGER WAS KILLED OR HURT? MY RESPONSE WAS THERE IS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE AT THIS TIME.
NHTSA ODI #10892566
Mileage unknown · Aug 2, 2016
Air Bags
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER DECLINED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE PER THE RECALL. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
NHTSA ODI #10892414
40,000 miles · Jul 30, 2016
Air BagsUnknown Or Other
WE HAVE A DASH CRACK FROM DRIVER SIDE TO PASSENGER SIDE NOT ALL THE WAY JUST CRACKS IN DIFFERENT AREAS; HOWEVER WHAT WORRIES US THE MOST IS THE 2" CRACK AT THE LEFT HAND CORNER OF WHERE THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS. THE SPECIFIC AREA IS TOP LEFT HAND CORNER OF THE AIRBAG SEAM THERE IS A CRACK AND I TRULY WORRY ABOUT THE AIRBAG DEPLOY…
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WE HAVE A DASH CRACK FROM DRIVER SIDE TO PASSENGER SIDE NOT ALL THE WAY JUST CRACKS IN DIFFERENT AREAS; HOWEVER WHAT WORRIES US THE MOST IS THE 2" CRACK AT THE LEFT HAND CORNER OF WHERE THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS. THE SPECIFIC AREA IS TOP LEFT HAND CORNER OF THE AIRBAG SEAM THERE IS A CRACK AND I TRULY WORRY ABOUT THE AIRBAG DEPLOYING AND SHOOTING PLASTIC PIECES EVERYWHERE FROM THAT CRACK.
NHTSA ODI #10891817
65,000 miles · Jul 28, 2016
Air BagsUnknown Or Other
I HAVE VARIOUS CRACKS IN MY DASH. THERE IS A LARGE ONE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DASH. THIS ONE OCCURRED JUST THIS YEAR (2016). BUT THE OTHER IS MORE CONCERNING, ESPECIALLY SINCE IT IS UP AGAINST THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. THIS ONE HAS EXISTED FOR SEVERAL YEARS (2014 OR EARLIER). I DIDN'T THINK ABOUT THIS BEING A PROBLEM UNTIL THE TAKATA …
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I HAVE VARIOUS CRACKS IN MY DASH. THERE IS A LARGE ONE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DASH. THIS ONE OCCURRED JUST THIS YEAR (2016). BUT THE OTHER IS MORE CONCERNING, ESPECIALLY SINCE IT IS UP AGAINST THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. THIS ONE HAS EXISTED FOR SEVERAL YEARS (2014 OR EARLIER). I DIDN'T THINK ABOUT THIS BEING A PROBLEM UNTIL THE TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL CAME UP. I AM WORRIED THAT SHOULD I GET INTO AN ACCIDENT, THAT THE CRACKED PLASTIC WILL BECOME LOOSE DEBRIS, AND CAUSE ADDITIONAL HARM TO ANY PASSENGERS. AN INTERESTING THING I'VE NOTICED IS A POPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE DASH. THIS OCCURS AFTER I HAVE BEEN DRIVING WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ON FOR A WHILE. WHEN I PERFORM A GOOGLE SEARCH, THIS SEEMS TO BE A FAIRLY COMMON PROBLEM. IN FACT, THERE IS A FACEBOOK GROUP THAT HAS ABOUT 5000 MEMBERS - HTTPS://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/GROUPS/GMDASHCRACK/ - THIS IS HOW I FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS WEBSITE. I AM UPLOADING 2 PICTURES. THE IMAGE ENDING IN 27, IS THE CENTER CRACK. YOU'LL NOTICE THAT IT IS SPLIT COMPLETELY FOR THE FULL DEPTH OF THAT PIECE. THE IMAGE ENDING IN 32, IS THE CRACK THAT SITS NEXT TO THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. I AM UNABLE TO DETERMINE IF THESE CRACKS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING OR NOT. THEY JUST SEEMED TO APPEAR OVER TIME.
NHTSA ODI #10889399
230,000 miles · Jul 12, 2016
Air BagsStructureUnknown Or Other
DASH BOARD IS CRACKING ON PASSENGER SIDE BY AIRBAG IN TOW PLACES AND ON DRIVER SIDE BY WINDOW VENT
NHTSA ODI #10884395
98,085 miles · Jul 11, 2016
Engine
THE AFM (LIFTERS) AND CAMSHAFT ALL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUES. THE TRUCK STARTED TO MAKE A KNOCKING SOUND SO I STOPPED AND CHECKED THE OIL AND DIDN'T HAVE ANY SHOWING ON DIP STICK. CHANGED OIL THAT DAY AND TWO WEEKS LATER THE VEHICLE WENT INTO REDUCE POWER MODE. I TOOK TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR AND THE…
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THE AFM (LIFTERS) AND CAMSHAFT ALL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUES. THE TRUCK STARTED TO MAKE A KNOCKING SOUND SO I STOPPED AND CHECKED THE OIL AND DIDN'T HAVE ANY SHOWING ON DIP STICK. CHANGED OIL THAT DAY AND TWO WEEKS LATER THE VEHICLE WENT INTO REDUCE POWER MODE. I TOOK TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR AND THEY TOLD BE IT WAS LIFTERS AND CAMSHAFT. AFTER DOING RESEARCH ON INTERNET IT SEEMS THAT FROM 2007-2013 5.3 ENGINES ARE HAVING OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUES DUE TO AFM ACTIVE FUEL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM ON TRUCK
NHTSA ODI #10883962
69,000 miles · Jun 14, 2016
Structure
DASHBOARD IS CRACKED IN TWO DIFFERENT PLAECES
NHTSA ODI #10874249
77,000 miles · Jun 13, 2016
Air Bags
SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON THIS MORNING AFTER START UP. RESTARTED TRUCK TO SEE IF WARNING WOULD CLEAR. I STILL HAVE THE MESSAGE AND BELIEVE THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE AIRBAG OR THE SENSORS.
NHTSA ODI #10873799
Mileage unknown · Jun 8, 2016
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)
SO ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGO I REPLACED THE BATTERY TRUCK WAS RUNNING FINE TILL ABOUT MONTH THREE. I WAS DRIVING MY TRUCK AND ALL OF A SUDDEN ALL THE ELECTRICAL STARTED FREAKING OUT ON ME. I POPPED THE HOOD AND PUSHED THE NEGATIVE WIRE FOR THE BATTERY DOWN AND IT STOPPED FOR A GOOD TWO MONTHS SO TODAY (JUNE 7TH, 2016)I WAS ON MY WAY TO…
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SO ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGO I REPLACED THE BATTERY TRUCK WAS RUNNING FINE TILL ABOUT MONTH THREE. I WAS DRIVING MY TRUCK AND ALL OF A SUDDEN ALL THE ELECTRICAL STARTED FREAKING OUT ON ME. I POPPED THE HOOD AND PUSHED THE NEGATIVE WIRE FOR THE BATTERY DOWN AND IT STOPPED FOR A GOOD TWO MONTHS SO TODAY (JUNE 7TH, 2016)I WAS ON MY WAY TO AUTOZONE TO HAVE THEM CHECK THE BATTERY FOR ME AND ON MY WAY OVER TO THEM TRUCK THRE A TEMPER TANTRUM AND STARTED WITH THE FREAKING OUT THEN I WAS ALMOST THERE AND IT JUST COMPLETELY SHUT OFF ON ME IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC I WAS LUCKLY IN THE TURNING LANE TO TURN INTO THE AUTOZONE. IT ALSO FID IT WHEN I WAS COMING OVER THE MOUNTAIN FREAKING OUT WITH THE ELECTRICAL. THEN JUST COMPLETLY CAME TO A STOP AT THE INTERSECTION AS I WAS TURNING LEFT ALMOST GOT HIT BY ANOTHER SILVERADO 2500 THAT WAS RIGHT BEHIND ME. BUT EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE IT'LL BE OKAY THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN JUST START UP AGAIN.
NHTSA ODI #10873330
107,000 miles · Jun 8, 2016
EngineFire
TRUCK HAD BEEN SITTING OVERNIGHT. WOKE UP TO 3RD BRAKE LIGHT ON. OPENED CAB DOOR, SMELLED LIKE SMOKE AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, WOULD NOT TURN OVER. POP HOOD AND THE FUSE BOX AND WIRING HARNESS HAD BEEN ON FIRE, WERE COMPLETELY MELTED. INSURANCE COMPANY WON'T COVER BECAUSE THERE WAS NOT SUBSTANTIAL PROOF OF FIRE, AND COULD NOT F…
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TRUCK HAD BEEN SITTING OVERNIGHT. WOKE UP TO 3RD BRAKE LIGHT ON. OPENED CAB DOOR, SMELLED LIKE SMOKE AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, WOULD NOT TURN OVER. POP HOOD AND THE FUSE BOX AND WIRING HARNESS HAD BEEN ON FIRE, WERE COMPLETELY MELTED. INSURANCE COMPANY WON'T COVER BECAUSE THERE WAS NOT SUBSTANTIAL PROOF OF FIRE, AND COULD NOT FIND SOURCE. FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH GM AFTER THE DEALERSHIP TOLD US THE WIRING HARNESS HAD BEEN DISCONTINUED (ON A 7 YEAR OLD TRUCK). GM WON'T DO ANYTHING BECAUSE THEY CANNOT FIND THE SOURCE, AND THEY HAVE YET TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THEY DISCONTINUED A PART. WE HAVE NO WAY OF FIXING THIS TRUCK.
NHTSA ODI #10873303
Official recalls
3Feb 5, 2021
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL, and 2009-2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500 and Sierra 3500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2007-2008 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 22, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 1, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328760.
Feb 5, 2021
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2009 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2007-2008 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 23, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 20, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328780.
Feb 5, 2021
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2010 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2009 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 24, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 11, 2021. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328790.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2DP22005 · Pedestrian Alert Sounds
Opened Jan 27, 2023 · Closed Aug 7, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:propulsion System
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.
EA21002 · Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Opened Sep 17, 2021 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module; Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.